Please Help! Cannot access Windows Explorer, My Computer, My Document or Recycle Bin.

wallner · 07-12-2004, 02:56 PM

I'm asking for help to resolve a problem with Windows 98 SE.

Several days ago my anti virus software identified and quarantined a virus I picked up on the internet. Since it was quarantined I thought all was well. I shut down my system, and sometime later after turning it back on, I got an unwelcome surprise. I could no longer access Windows Explorer, My Computer, My Documents or the Recycle Bin. When I clicked on any of these icons my computer would just lockup. I then would have to do a complete restart. All my other programs work fine.

I re-ran my anti virus program several times but it didn't identify any viruses. I also ran Ad-aware with no results.

After doing some trouble shooting I have determined that the only way any of these programs would function is in Safe Mode. I tried to isolate the problem first through MSCONFIG with no luck.

This is what I have determined. By hitting the F8 key, I enter the Windows 98 Startup Menu. Then I choose # 4, Step by Step Configuration. Then I select Y (yes) for each function until I reach, "Load All Windows Drivers". If I choose N (no), the problem is eliminated. If I choose Y (yes) and load the Windows Drivers, the anomaly continues.

I have no idea how to identify what Windows Driver or Drivers have been corrupted.

Is it possible to rectify the problem by removing win.com in the Windows directory and then re-installing Windows 98 SE to get clean Windows drivers back. I read somewhere in one of the newsgroups or web sites that this proceedure will allow you to re-install Windows on top of itself and keep your existing settings.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm hopeful that I will not have to reformat my hard drive and then install Windows. Thank you.

Fred

*Bofinn* · 07-12-2004, 03:10 PM

it's been awhile, but doesn't 98 have an option to boot using a log, so it records all the drivers loading? If so check it and see if you are getting any errors.

wallner · 07-12-2004, 03:16 PM

Thanks for your quick reply. I can only view the log in Safe Mode. Since none of the Windows Drivers are loading, I don't think the log will identify any problems. I could be wrong though.

Fred

PCBruiser · 07-12-2004, 03:28 PM

It has been a long time since I used SE, but isn't there a system file scanner that can check to see if a system file has been replaced improperly?

*Bofinn* · 07-12-2004, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallner

Thanks for your quick reply. I can only view the log in Safe Mode. Since none of the Windows Drivers are loading, I don't think the log will identify any problems. I could be wrong though.

Fred

do the step by step method:

1. boot log Yes Windows Yes

reboot:

2. boot log no Windows No then view the log file from step 1

Monkey Hanger · 07-12-2004, 03:50 PM

You can install 98 over the top. It will not interfere with your settings.

You will loose all the updates though!

wallner · 07-12-2004, 05:16 PM

Bofinn,

I tried your suggestion. Boot log yes, Windows yes. Reboot. Boot log no, Windows no. It appears that there is no difference in the boot log record. They both appear identical. However, I am getting tons of failure codes regarding fonts, 53 in all. They appear like this:

Loadstart=C:\Windows\fonts\Marlett.ttf
Loadfail=C:\Windows\fonts\Marlett.ttf Failure code is 0016

The only font to load successfully is, sserife.fon. I have no idea if these failures have anything to do with my problem.

There is one other unusual entry in the log.txt that appears and I don't know what it means. It shows up both ways in the log.

[000F936C] Starting Unknown(HTREE\RESERVED\0)
[000F936C] Started Unknown (HTREE\RESERVED\0)
[000F936D] Enumerating Unknown (HTREE\RESERVED\0)
[000F936D] Enumerating Unknown (HTREE\RESERVED\0)

More suggestions please.

Fred

blt_abx · 07-12-2004, 08:32 PM

Have you tried running the sytem file checker utility from safe mode?
It can be set to scan for altered files and will give you the option to replace them from the Win98SE CD.

rjs735 · 07-12-2004, 08:55 PM

Lets slow down and backup. You never said what virus was quarantined.

You should be able to go back and look at the quarantined
log and get the name of the virus.

Then you should be able to go online and get the removal instructions/ removal program.

BTW adaware does a good job but doesn't get everything.
When was the last time you updated the signature file.

Download spybot search & Destroy 3.2 and run that to see if it picks up anything.

Reloading windows won't necesarily fix the problem.

One last possibility "what if the file that is identified as a virus infected file is a windows 98 necessary file" That would explain the lockup. Unfortunately the virus check program doesn't give you a replacement module. They leave that up to you.

SO in this case the the file scan utility should find a file that has been removed from the system ( also the virus quarantined file will give you the virus and module name). Then you should be able to replace the file from the win98 cab files or cd .

wallijonn · 07-13-2004, 11:52 PM

Your problem IS the fonts. You must set them back to defaults. One of the ways you can do this is by using the run command to run control panel.

You might also be able to go through 'folder options' and 'file types' and check associations for fonts.

I would just go into the fonts folder, look for that font and delete it.

wallner · 07-14-2004, 10:21 AM

Many thanks to all who offered help on my Windows Explorer problem.

Things have been restored to normal and this is the proceedure I followed. Click on Start/Run. Type in msinfo32. Click on, Tool Menu/Internet Explorer Repair Tool, and then begin the process. Why it worked I don't know, but it solved my issues.

This helpful suggestion was provided from a person on another newsgroup. He said Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer were somehow linked and this proceedure should work.

Thanks again to those on this newsgroup who extended their support.

Fred

wallijonn · 07-14-2004, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallner

Type in msinfo32. Click on, Tool Menu/Internet Explorer Repair Tool, and then begin the process.

I'm running W2K and there's no such button. Guess I'll have to fire up W98SE.

My friend had his problem under WXPH.

blt_abx · 07-14-2004, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallijonn

I'm running W2K and there's no such button. Guess I'll have to fire up W98SE.

Try the following:

To repair (or add features to IE6) - W2k / XP
1) Make sure you have the source files from the same location they were installed.
2) Do a Start / Run / rundll32 setupwbv.dll,IE6Maintenance.
3) You will then be given the options to Add a Component or Repair.

Monkey Hanger · 07-14-2004, 05:22 PM

In 98 you can repair IE by selecting :-

Programs
Accessories
System Tools
System Information

Within Tools there is a multitude of utilities including "Internet Explorer Repair Tool".

wallijonn · 08-13-2004, 09:15 PM

I usually will install TWEAKUI and run all the repair options.

07-12-2004, 02:56 PM	#1
wallner WallyGator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: West Allis, WI Posts: 64	Please Help! Cannot access Windows Explorer, My Computer, My Document or Recycle Bin. I'm asking for help to resolve a problem with Windows 98 SE. Several days ago my anti virus software identified and quarantined a virus I picked up on the internet. Since it was quarantined I thought all was well. I shut down my system, and sometime later after turning it back on, I got an unwelcome surprise. I could no longer access Windows Explorer, My Computer, My Documents or the Recycle Bin. When I clicked on any of these icons my computer would just lockup. I then would have to do a complete restart. All my other programs work fine. I re-ran my anti virus program several times but it didn't identify any viruses. I also ran Ad-aware with no results. After doing some trouble shooting I have determined that the only way any of these programs would function is in Safe Mode. I tried to isolate the problem first through MSCONFIG with no luck. This is what I have determined. By hitting the F8 key, I enter the Windows 98 Startup Menu. Then I choose # 4, Step by Step Configuration. Then I select Y (yes) for each function until I reach, "Load All Windows Drivers". If I choose N (no), the problem is eliminated. If I choose Y (yes) and load the Windows Drivers, the anomaly continues. I have no idea how to identify what Windows Driver or Drivers have been corrupted. Is it possible to rectify the problem by removing win.com in the Windows directory and then re-installing Windows 98 SE to get clean Windows drivers back. I read somewhere in one of the newsgroups or web sites that this proceedure will allow you to re-install Windows on top of itself and keep your existing settings. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm hopeful that I will not have to reformat my hard drive and then install Windows. Thank you. Fred __________________ Antec SX835II Case Asus P4PE/L Rev 1.03 / 1001 Bios Intel P4 3.06 D-1 @ 3.2 Crucial 2 gig DDR PC2700 Creative SoundBlaster Live 5.1 Digital XFX 7600GT 256 MB Western Digital 60 GB 7200 Western Digital 80 GB 7200 Lite-On 48x12x48 CD/RW Benq DW1620 16+r X 16-w DVD Burner Alps 3.5 Floppy Windows XP Pro
(Offline)

07-12-2004, 03:10 PM	#2
Bofinn I'm gettin' dizzy! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 11,035	it's been awhile, but doesn't 98 have an option to boot using a log, so it records all the drivers loading? If so check it and see if you are getting any errors. __________________ ---------- JimBo ----------- When in doubt, smack it!
(Offline)

07-12-2004, 03:16 PM	#3
wallner WallyGator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: West Allis, WI Posts: 64	Thanks for your quick reply. I can only view the log in Safe Mode. Since none of the Windows Drivers are loading, I don't think the log will identify any problems. I could be wrong though. Fred __________________ Antec SX835II Case Asus P4PE/L Rev 1.03 / 1001 Bios Intel P4 3.06 D-1 @ 3.2 Crucial 2 gig DDR PC2700 Creative SoundBlaster Live 5.1 Digital XFX 7600GT 256 MB Western Digital 60 GB 7200 Western Digital 80 GB 7200 Lite-On 48x12x48 CD/RW Benq DW1620 16+r X 16-w DVD Burner Alps 3.5 Floppy Windows XP Pro
(Offline)

07-12-2004, 03:28 PM	#4
PCBruiser Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 13,497	It has been a long time since I used SE, but isn't there a system file scanner that can check to see if a system file has been replaced improperly?
(Offline)

07-12-2004, 03:50 PM	#6
Monkey Hanger Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 10,590	You can install 98 over the top. It will not interfere with your settings. You will loose all the updates though!
(Offline)

07-12-2004, 05:16 PM	#7
wallner WallyGator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: West Allis, WI Posts: 64	Bofinn, I tried your suggestion. Boot log yes, Windows yes. Reboot. Boot log no, Windows no. It appears that there is no difference in the boot log record. They both appear identical. However, I am getting tons of failure codes regarding fonts, 53 in all. They appear like this: Loadstart=C:\Windows\fonts\Marlett.ttf Loadfail=C:\Windows\fonts\Marlett.ttf Failure code is 0016 The only font to load successfully is, sserife.fon. I have no idea if these failures have anything to do with my problem. There is one other unusual entry in the log.txt that appears and I don't know what it means. It shows up both ways in the log. [000F936C] Starting Unknown(HTREE\RESERVED\0) [000F936C] Started Unknown (HTREE\RESERVED\0) [000F936D] Enumerating Unknown (HTREE\RESERVED\0) [000F936D] Enumerating Unknown (HTREE\RESERVED\0) More suggestions please. Fred __________________ Antec SX835II Case Asus P4PE/L Rev 1.03 / 1001 Bios Intel P4 3.06 D-1 @ 3.2 Crucial 2 gig DDR PC2700 Creative SoundBlaster Live 5.1 Digital XFX 7600GT 256 MB Western Digital 60 GB 7200 Western Digital 80 GB 7200 Lite-On 48x12x48 CD/RW Benq DW1620 16+r X 16-w DVD Burner Alps 3.5 Floppy Windows XP Pro
(Offline)

07-12-2004, 08:32 PM	#8
blt_abx Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Memphis, TN USA Posts: 1,089	Have you tried running the sytem file checker utility from safe mode? It can be set to scan for altered files and will give you the option to replace them from the Win98SE CD.
(Offline)

07-12-2004, 08:55 PM	#9
rjs735 Virus? What I am not sick Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,833	Lets slow down and backup. You never said what virus was quarantined. You should be able to go back and look at the quarantined log and get the name of the virus. Then you should be able to go online and get the removal instructions/ removal program. BTW adaware does a good job but doesn't get everything. When was the last time you updated the signature file. Download spybot search & Destroy 3.2 and run that to see if it picks up anything. Reloading windows won't necesarily fix the problem. One last possibility "what if the file that is identified as a virus infected file is a windows 98 necessary file" That would explain the lockup. Unfortunately the virus check program doesn't give you a replacement module. They leave that up to you. SO in this case the the file scan utility should find a file that has been removed from the system ( also the virus quarantined file will give you the virus and module name). Then you should be able to replace the file from the win98 cab files or cd . __________________ Asus P4S8x 2.0 Ghz Celeron Ram 512MB WDC 80GB HD SATA WDC 80GB SATA Memorex DUAL DVD/RW Win98SE/XP pro Asus P2b-F Cel 450 Ram 256MB W98 SE Optorite CDRW WD 40GB Asrock P4combo P4 346 Xp Pro Sp 3 SATA HD SATA DVD/RW Foxconn 925EX 550 XP Media SP2 Sata HD Sata DVD/RW Foxconn 925EX 550 Xp SP2 Asrock 775Dual 550 Xp pro SP2 IBM T23 1.3hz RAM 512MB XP pro SP2 All systems are networked Konica Minolta Color Laser Samsung clp-315 Color laser Dlink 655 Dlink G650 Wireless
(Offline)

07-13-2004, 11:52 PM	#10
wallijonn PHX Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix Posts: 2,569	Your problem IS the fonts. You must set them back to defaults. One of the ways you can do this is by using the run command to run control panel. You might also be able to go through 'folder options' and 'file types' and check associations for fonts. I would just go into the fonts folder, look for that font and delete it.
(Offline)

07-14-2004, 10:21 AM	#11
wallner WallyGator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: West Allis, WI Posts: 64	Many thanks to all who offered help on my Windows Explorer problem. Things have been restored to normal and this is the proceedure I followed. Click on Start/Run. Type in msinfo32. Click on, Tool Menu/Internet Explorer Repair Tool, and then begin the process. Why it worked I don't know, but it solved my issues. This helpful suggestion was provided from a person on another newsgroup. He said Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer were somehow linked and this proceedure should work. Thanks again to those on this newsgroup who extended their support. Fred __________________ Antec SX835II Case Asus P4PE/L Rev 1.03 / 1001 Bios Intel P4 3.06 D-1 @ 3.2 Crucial 2 gig DDR PC2700 Creative SoundBlaster Live 5.1 Digital XFX 7600GT 256 MB Western Digital 60 GB 7200 Western Digital 80 GB 7200 Lite-On 48x12x48 CD/RW Benq DW1620 16+r X 16-w DVD Burner Alps 3.5 Floppy Windows XP Pro
(Offline)

07-14-2004, 05:22 PM	#14
Monkey Hanger Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 10,590	In 98 you can repair IE by selecting :- Programs Accessories System Tools System Information Within Tools there is a multitude of utilities including "Internet Explorer Repair Tool".
(Offline)

08-13-2004, 09:15 PM	#15
wallijonn PHX Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix Posts: 2,569	I usually will install TWEAKUI and run all the repair options.
(Offline)

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